For about as long as kids have been going to school together — kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school, even college — there have been what we call bullies. They’re the ones who are bigger and stronger than others, and use
For about as long as kids have been going to school together — kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school, even college — there have been what we call bullies. They’re the ones who are bigger and stronger than others, and use their might to get what they want. That might be through physical violence or the threat of it, but they tend to target those they consider weaker.
Many of us likely had to deal with them at one stage or another in life. In school, it might be a shove on the playground. Or a punch when the teacher isn’t looking. Or a slap to the head between classes in the hallways. If not physical, than verbal abuse. But it continues.
We’d like to think in these enlightened days, such things don’t occur any longer. Bullies were decades ago, right? Now, they have sensitivity classes, right? Kids are taught to respect each other, be encouraging. They hear about unity and teamwork and common goals and guest speakers deliver a message of equality. Isn’t everyone kind and courteous?
Sadly, not quite so. The bullying continues. Only now, it’s beyond the old-fashioned, physical kind. It goes on through cellphones and computers and other electronic devices we use to communicate. Kids are picked on today just as they were decades ago.
As one parent recently wrote to TGI: “Children especially are noted for encountering bullies during school hours. Schools should be a place of learning and should not inhabit fear.”
“Children who come home everyday with a flustered attitude about the way they are treated is frustrating and worrisome as a parent.”
That’s one of the reasons we encourage you to attend a forum from 4:30 to 7:30 tonight at the Kauai Convention Center.
A bully-free environment in Kauai schools will be the focus of “Mauka to Makai, Bully Free Kauai Campaign.” The activities will include messages from legislators, the mayor, council members and District Complex Superintendent Bill Arakaki.
Information booths will be set up and additional activities will be offered in the grand plan to stamp out bullying islandwide.
In case you’re thinking that bullying isn’t a big deal, just some old-fashioned fun at the expense of some kids who probably deserve it, think again.
According to studies, kids who are bullied may suffer from depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood.
These studies also find that kids who bully others sometimes go on to abuse alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of school. And bystanders, those who see and do nothing to stop the bullying, may also later have increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs as well as facing depression and anxiety. The seriousness of bullying can’t be understated.
This is one of the problems there should be no division. We can all agree bullying must end. The question is, how do we make that happen? There’s only one way: Together, as a community.
